Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, Professor Amon Murwira, has urged African countries to reclaim their cultural identity and harness indigenous knowledge to drive industrialisation, create economic opportunities and strengthen regional integration.
Speaking at the COMESA Tourism and Cultural Night at Heritage Village, Liberation City, in Harare, yesterday evening, Prof Murwira said Africa’s cultural heritage should be used to advance economic development and build a prosperous, self-reliant continent.
“This gathering highlights the importance of cultural diplomacy in strengthening cooperation among COMESA member states and fostering closer connections between their people.
Cultural diplomacy is important in strengthening regional integration, trust and cooperation among COMESA member states,” Prof Murwira said.
The minister called for renewed appreciation of African traditions, saying colonialism had undermined the continent’s spirituality, food and languages.
“Africans should restore pride in their cultural identity and draw inspiration from the liberation struggles that shaped the continent’s history,” he said.
Prof Murwira said meaningful integration required countries to recognise the human and cultural connections that unite their people, rather than focusing solely on formal agreements and national borders.
“True economic integration goes beyond trade agreements and borders; it is about people, shared identities and connections that build trust,” he said.
He also challenged African countries to transform their indigenous knowledge and natural resources into economic assets, arguing that cultural heritage could contribute directly to industrialisation and wealth creation.
Using marula wine as an example, Prof Murwira demonstrated how locally available resources could be transformed into valuable products through innovation and the application of traditional knowledge.
“Heritage-based industrialisation” presents opportunities for communities to generate income from their natural surroundings while creating businesses and supporting local economic development, he said.
The minister emphasised that Africa should move beyond celebrating its cultural traditions and develop practical ways of turning them into commercially viable products.
“Indigenous resources, when supported by innovation and enterprise, could help communities participate in value addition and retain greater economic benefits locally,” Professor Murwira noted.
Prof Murwira highlighted how cultural identity should be treated as an asset in building a united continent capable of pursuing its own development priorities.
“Africa’s cultural heritage is not just a legacy of the past, but a resource for building a united, self-reliant and prosperous future,” Prof Murwira said.
The COMESA Tourism and Cultural Night was held in Harare as part of efforts to promote cultural exchange, tourism and regional cooperation among member states.
